Page 9 of Close to Falling

“Any good at it?” she questions.

“Depends on who you ask, I guess.” I shrug, likewhatever.

“I’m asking you.”

“I don’t really do it anymore. I guess I used to be.”

“Maybe you’ll pick it back up,” she replies softly. I don’t respond, and she tells me to continue.

***

The party had been going on for a few hours, and I watched as the housewives of the neighborhood gossiped and sipped on cheap red wine. The men all stood by the grill and the hole in the ground, the fire pit, trading stories about their younger years and sucking beers down faster than I could keep count. Clear blue skies turned purple and pink as the sun set and my eyes wandered over to River. He had picked up a few friends, and by friends, I mean girls. I was fuming on the inside as I watched one of them flirt with him openly. Why I was mad, I don’t know.

“Let’s walk down to the beach,” Cali says, obviously bored.

“Can’t. It’s Frankie’s party,” I tell her as I wrap my hair up into a messy updo.

“I got some more pills,” she whispers.

“Give me one,” I tell her. She digs into her pocket and slides one into my hand.

“Where do you keep getting these?”

“Just a guy from school.” She shrugs. I grab my soda and look around before I throw the pill back. Taking a sip of my drink, I chase down an easy time, and my eyes look back over to River. Watching me closely, he ignores the girl who’s trying to be all over him. Looking away like the girl doesn’t bother me, I stretch out onto the lounge chair, watching the treetops sway in the summer wind, waiting for my high.

Chapter Five

I twirl my long ponytail around my finger and pop big bubbles with the gum I dug out of my pocket. It’s Friday, and the first day back to school. I’m seated in class, waiting for the bell to ring. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. I watch the big hand move inch by inch on the bland, black and white clock. Strumming my pencil on my textbook, I blow another bubble and slouch down in my desk before propping my feet up on the one in front of me.

“Any parties this weekend?” I hear Mikey ask. He’s been two seats in front of me all year and always falls asleep during class.

“I think there’s one out at Kelley’s parents’ land,” Tuck, the star of the football team, responds.

“Didn’t her parents get busted for letting kids drink underage?” Amber, the fiery redhead, asks. She’s also the head of the debate team and can be a pain in everyone's ass.

“No, they didn’t,” I cut in, rolling my eyes.

“I’m pretty sure they did,” she says with her nose in the air.

“Have you ever even been out to Kelley’s?” I ask Mrs. Know-It-All.

“Well, no, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on,” she replies.

“You going out there?” Mikey asks me, ignoring Amber.

“I don’t know. I’ll ask the boys.” I hear the bell, and everyone jumps up like their pants are on fire. I do the same, though, and make my way to my locker.

“Hey, Maddie, wait up.” Books in hand, I turn around at Mikey’s voice.

“So, I kind of didn’t take any notes in Mr. Barnes’s class. Would it be cool if I borrowed yours?”

“That’s probably because you were passed out,” I say with a smirk.

He laughs. “Yeah, I just can’t stay awake in his class. His low, boring ass voice puts me to sleep every time!” he says it like it’s the most real thing ever. He is kind of right, though, so I throw him some slack. I pull out my notebook and hand it over.

“Here, don’t lose it.”

“Thanks, Maddie. You’re awesome,” he replies, smiling at me. And it’s a cute smile. “Hope to see you tonight,” he adds before he takes off toward his locker.

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